In the heart of Houston, a tale of courage and compassion unfolds.
Callie Clemens, accompanied by her faithful dog Giselle and a group of dedicated volunteers, embarked on a daring mission.
For three grueling days, they braved cockroach-infested storm drains, driven by a single purpose – to rescue a litter of puppies trapped within the city’s underbelly.
The mission was sparked by a report of puppies crossing the street, their whimpers echoing from the drains after they disappeared from sight.
Clemens, the former daughter-in-law of New York Yankees legend Roger Clemens, is no stranger to such endeavors.
She has been at the forefront of animal rescue in an area notorious for ‘puppy dumping,’ where unwanted dogs are abandoned to fend for themselves.
“I knew nobody would do it, so I had to jump in,” she stated, her determination unwavering despite the risks involved.
Having founded the nonprofit Paws Off The Streets, Clemens has a track record of successful rescues.
On this occasion, she managed to find two of the black lab mutts on Friday and was preparing to venture back into the drain on Saturday night to locate the last one.
If found, the puppy would be taken to the city shelter, but Clemens, emotionally invested in the mission, is considering adopting it.
“There’s no way the puppy can get out by itself, so it’s up to us, and I have no shame to go down and get it,” she declared.
Clemens’ commitment to animal rescue is unwavering.
In her seven years of rescue work, she has never lost a dog and doesn’t plan to start now.
Arriving at the scene late on Friday night, she and Giselle, a skilled animal sniffer, plunged into the unknown, navigating the dark, cockroach-infested drains in response to the puppies’ cries.
The frightened pups scattered at their approach, forcing the team to venture further into the labyrinthine drains.
The team’s efforts bore fruit as they managed to rescue two of the puppies.
However, the faint cries of one or two others could still be heard from deeper within the drains.
Undeterred, the volunteers used dog sounds on their phones to coax the remaining puppies out, braving the unpleasant water and cockroach nests in their relentless pursuit.
“I know they’re still in there; I just think they’re further down,” Clemens affirmed.
The city has been supportive of Clemens’ efforts, unlocking the drain and providing engineers to assist her.
One engineer even created a map of the drains to aid in her search.
However, the task remains challenging. Clemens believes the remaining puppies have moved further north, requiring her to enter through a different, narrower entrance.
“It’s difficult to get in there. You have to be very small because not anybody can fit,” she explained.
Despite the challenges, Clemens remains committed to the mission.
She has left food and water for the remaining puppies, who are unable to escape on their own.
She is prepared to spend the next two days searching for them, stating, “I’m invested, I am hopeful, and I remain optimistic. It’s very hard to get me to quit. I’m very passionate about it.”
Clemens’ dedication extends beyond this single mission.
She has been a vocal advocate for addressing Houston’s significant stray animal problem, with an estimated 1 million stray animals roaming the city’s streets.
She has previously rescued animals trapped in drains and water holes, including a kitten in May 2021.
These experiences have given her a unique understanding of the city’s drain system.
So far, two puppies have been rescued, with an unknown number still trapped.
Clemens, however, is undeterred by the challenges and risks.
“I do some pretty stupid stuff, I just try not to think about it and just do it,” she confessed.
Clemens is a hero who has rescued countless animal lives.
Watch the video below to see her brave rescue mission.
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